HOT SPRINGS, AR - The Arlington Baptist University women's basketball team has punched their ticket to the NCCAA Division II National Tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota after coming home with a Southwest Regional Championship title.
In the first round, they faced Randall University out of Oklahoma who they had beaten twice in the regular season. Although the Lady Patriots were up by 18 after the first half, Randall was able to surge back and cut the lead to single digits. After a few lapses, ABU was still able to pull off the win by 4 points.
Enyce Williams led the team with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Sa'Nya Green and
Kaylee Bennett also added double figures in scoring with 13 points each.
The Lady Patriots were then matched up against the tournament's number one seed and rival, Champion Christian College. ABU maintained a close lead throughout the first half, but Champion came back to take a 1-point lead going into the 4th quarter. However, the Lady Patriots remained focused on the goal and secured the 10-point upset win, making this their first win over Champion Christian since 2022.
Laila Stewart had a monster 20-point game to lead her team.
Aniya Jackson also played a huge role coming off the bench and adding 13 points and 3 steals.
In the Regional Championship game, the Lady Patriots faced Ozark Christian College, who had bested them by 26 points in their sole regular season matchup. That previous loss had no effect on them as ABU took command of the game from
the start, outscoring Ozark in three out of four quarters and tying them in one.
Enyce Williams and
Kaylee Bennett led the Lady Patriots in scoring with 20 points each.
Sophia Cortez was also a force for her team, adding a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
This Southwest Regional Championship title not only secured the Lady Patriots' 12th overall appearance in the NCCAA Division II National Tournament, but also marked the 10th overall Regional Championship for the women's basketball program. The National Tournament will be hosted by North Central University, March 13th through 15th.
